Lachapelle

LACHAPELLE Marie (Marie-Louise Lachapelle, 1769-1822), famous French midwife of the early 19th century. She was trained in midwifery by her mother, who was also a midwife. In 1797, a new maternity institution was founded in Paris - Hospice de la Maternite. At its head was placed the famous Baudelocque, and his closest assistant was appointed L. Working hand in hand with Baudelocque, L. shared with him both operative and teaching activities and received from him broad scientific training. A year before her death, L. published the first volume of her work 'Pratique des accouchemens' (vols. I-III, Paris, 1821-25); vols. II-III were published after L.'s death, edited by her nephew Duges. This work gave L. worldwide fame and in some respects is still of interest today.